Flying Gift Experiences
Enjoy a Fabulous Flight with our Great Selection of Flying Experiences
Aviation dates back to 200BC with the invention of kites in China. People became fascinated by the idea of flying and began to attempt gliding. Gliding continued to progress and in 1899, Wilbur and Orville Wright began to work on an advanced model with a wing span of 22ft. When it was unsuccessful, they looked into propellers. In 1903 they designed a motor that would power a 700 pound Flyer. They launched it from a movable track and found it to be a great success. In 1905, their Flyer II stayed in the air for over thirty minutes and travelled twenty four miles. By the time they had built the Flyer III, the Wright brothers had mastered controlled flying and aircraft travel was born.
Flying Gift Ideas
GoneDigging offers a vast selection of flying gift experiences, ranging from instruction to sight-seeing tours and including aircraft, helicopters and hot air balloons. We have gifts that incorporate historical war planes, such as Tiger Moth aircrafts. Alternatively, our aerobatic presents are sure to leave you in a spin! All of our flying trips feature highly qualified instructors and pilots, with a strict policy regarding safety and aviation regulations. Below you will find more information on all of our flying presents.
Aircraft Flying Gifts
An Introductory Flying Lesson gives you a great insight into flying an aircraft. A CAA instructor will carry out a full run through of the basics and will familiarise you with the cockpit. You will then be taken out on a thirty minute flight. If you both feel comfortable, you will be given an opportunity to fly the aircraft yourself. An Extended Flying Lesson lasts for one hour.
You could alternatively enjoy a memorable trip in a Microlight aircraft or a Tiger Moth plane. The Microlight is an incredibly light and manoeuvrable aircraft, which is designed like a hang-glider. The Tiger Moth, on the other hand, is a 1930s RAF model. Both aircraft experiences include a thirty minute flight with an experienced pilot, who will offer you a chance to take over the controls.
Aerobatics Gift Experiences
Aerobatics is one of the most popular aviation experiences in the UK. In fact, these flying displays attract the second largest outdoor audience in the country. (Only football produces larger crowds). Advanced Aerobatic Flying is a fabulous present that will give you the chance to learn how it’s done in a Cap 10 – arguably the best aerobatic training aircraft in production. A comprehensive introduction and demonstration is included and you can opt to either have a go at aerobatics yourself or to just.sit back and enjoy the ride.
Helicopter Gift Experiences
Helicopters are unique as they can lift into the air without moving forwards. They can therefore take off and land without a runway. They also hover in one position and change direction quickly. These features have led helicopters to maintain a vital role in search and rescue, motion picture photography and breathtaking sight-seeing tours.
Our helicopter gifts include exhilarating trips and lessons. The London Helicopter Tour features a fantastic forty minute ride over London, which will give you a great view of the famous landmarks along the Thames.
If you would like to take control of your own helicopter flight, why not try one of our instruction presents. The Helicopter Thrill begins with your instructor demonstrating flying forwards, backwards, sideways, in circles and hovering on the spot. You will then have a chance to try these skills yourself. For a more advanced Helicopter experience, we offer a tremendous Helicopter Lesson Day. This present offers an in depth briefing on flying and tuition in a Robinson R22 Beta – the world’s most popular helicopter – lasting approximately two hours. These helicopter gifts are recommended for those interested in applying for a Private Pilot’s Licence.
Hot Air Balloon Gifts
In 180 AD, Zhuge Liang invented the Kongming Lantern. Small oil lamps were fixed under large paper bags and as the air heated up, the lanterns would begin to float into the sky. This was the first ever hot air balloon and was used as a signalling device, plus a form of warfare. In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers created the first successful manned hot air balloon, which was based upon the principles of these Chinese lanterns.
A Champagne Balloon Flight enables you to float in the air at 2,000ft, as you marvel at stunning views of countryside and the sun rising. You will help to prepare the hot air balloons and then sip champagne during your relaxing flight. These presents are available at a range of locations and why not share them with a loved one by selecting our Champagne Hot Air Balloon Flight? Hot air balloon gift experiences are great gift ideas for couples.
Gliding Presents
Gliding played a significant role in the development of aviation and it remains a fun flying adventure! Our Gliding Half Day Mini-Course is a terrific present that will teach you how to manoeuvre gliders at a height of 1,000 to 1,500ft. Lessons take place in a dual controlled model and will last between five and twenty minutes – depending on the weather. You will enjoy four flights with a qualified instructor. This flying gift also includes a ninety day membership at the Surrey-based club, with special rates available for further gliding lessons.